Pill delivery system

ABSTRACT

A convenient pill delivery system comprising a container, a consumable substance contained in such container, and a specialized cap capable of receiving one or more pills. The consumable substance is forced out of the container onto the cap and surrounds and encompasses the pill. The consumer licks the pill and consumable substance together off the cap and swallows it. The consumable substance provides bulk and lubrication to the pill and aids the consumer in swallowing the pill quickly, easily, and efficiently.

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/307,963, filed on Jul. 26, 2001.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to an improved pilldelivery system and the method for administering the same. Moreparticular, the present invention relates to a drug delivery system thatwill be used by those patients who have difficulty swallowing pills orwho do not have access to food or water during the taking of pills.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Oral administration of medicaments, vitamins, food, supplements,and other substances in pill, tablet, and capsule form present specialproblems to a large segment of the population, especially to childrenand the elderly. There are many people who cannot swallow a pill andwill either refuse to take it or gag while trying to swallow it. Theterm “pill” is used herein for any orally ingestible formulation in thesolid state and includes one or more tablets, capsules, caplets,lozenges and the like, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.While such essentially solid formulations are to be distinguished fromtonics, suspensions, dispersions and other essentially liquidformulations, it will be appreciated that an essentially solid “pill”may have a liquid or semi-solid interior.

[0004] The art is filled with numerous methods and devices aimed atcutting, crushing, grinding, or otherwise reducing the size of a pillinto smaller particles that are easier to swallow. This process isinefficient, time-consuming, and wasteful. Portions of the medicamentmay be lost in the process, thereby affecting dosage accuracy and,possibly, drug absorption. Furthermore, some pills, such as time-releasemedicaments, cannot be cut or crushed as this will affect their designedpurpose, and the efficacy of their absorption over defined timeintervals. Most of the solutions in the prior art involve altering thesize, shape, and/or structure of the pill.

[0005] Little comfort is given to those people who have troubleswallowing a pill in its manufactured state. The art is lacking simple,innovative devices or methods for making it easier for these people toswallow a pill without changing the pill's size, shape, and/orstructure. The ability to easily consume a pill without the need to cut,crush, grind or otherwise alter its natural state would be efficient,convenient, and readily embraced by all people who have difficulty orfind it unpleasant to consume a pill in its manufactured state.

[0006] Even for people who do not have trouble swallowing a pill,substances such as food, water, or other fluids are often required toassist in swallowing it. Without such lubrication, the pill may becomestuck, lodge in the throat, and cause choking. Food, water, or otherfluids may not always be available when a consumer needs or desires totake a pill, and hence, the ability to take a pill without dependence onsuch substances would be advantageous.

[0007] The present invention provides an easy and convenient solution toswallowing a pill without changing the size, shape, or structure of thepill itself. The present invention allows the consumer to easily andconveniently swallow the pill in its manufactured form. This is a uniquesolution to the problem of swallowing pills and represents a radicaldeparture from the prior art, which essentially teaches the consumer tocut, crush, or otherwise reduce the size of the pill or otherwise changeits structure to make it easier to swallow. Furthermore, the presentinvention enables the consumer to swallow a pill, even at times whenaccess to food or fluids is inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A container filled with a consumable substance that is attachedto a specialized top or cap, wherein the cap is uniquely designed toreceive one or more pills, tablets, or other objects that the userdesires to swallow, preferably without chewing. This consumablesubstance provides a measure of bulk and lubrication to the pill, whichis intended to aid the consumer in overcoming the natural gag reflex. Bysome applied force, the consumable substance is delivered to the cap andsurrounds at least a portion of the pill. The consumer then simply licksthe cap and receives the pill, which is now at least partiallyencompassed in the consumable substance. Once in the mouth, theconsumable substance permits the user to more easily and quickly swallowthe pill without gagging on or chewing it.

[0009] The consumable substance is formulated to break down quickly bythe gastric fluids in the stomach so that the pill is readily availablefor use by the body. The present invention could be manufactured invarious sizes and contain correspondingly different volumes ofconsumable substances, which could also be offered in different flavorsand textures. The amount of consumable substance in a given sizecontainer will determine the number of administrations available for usein consuming pills.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the container and cap of the presentinvention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the container and cap of the presentinvention with a squeezable casing;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the cap of the present inventionshown in a replaceable configuration capable of being installed on arefill container;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a schematic cut-a-way view of the container of thepresent invention using a knurled wheel with an internal threaded postand platform;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a schematic cut-a-way view of the cap of the presentinvention with a swing-a-way form-fitting cover hinged to the cap;

[0015]FIG. 6 is a schematic cut-a-way view of the cap of the presentinvention with a removable form-fitting cover; and

[0016]FIG. 7 is a schematic cut-a-way view of the cap of the presentinvention in operation showing a pill in the concave section of the capand the consumable substance being pushed out of the vents andsurrounding the pill.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED INVENTION

[0017] The pill delivery system according to the present invention isbest illustrated by reference to FIGS. 1-7. Referring to FIG. 1, thepresent invention is essentially composed of a flexible tube, sleeve,housing, or other container 1, filled with a consumable substance 2,which is delivered by some force onto the cap 3. All materials should befood-grade and approved by the appropriate authorities. Depicted in FIG.1, the preferred mode for the container would be a thin flexible sleeve1, similar to a toothpaste tube with the terminal end crimped to seal inthe contents. This type of container permits easy access to the contentsby squeezing the tube and forcing the contents out onto cap 3. This typeof tube is easy to manufacture and serves as a simple, inexpensive meansfor storing and delivering the contents for use. The dimensions ofsleeve 1 will determine the amount of the consumable substance 2 thatmay be stored inside, and, hence, the number of pill administrationsavailable to the consumer.

[0018] Although squeezing the sleeve is easy and convenient, othercontainers and means of applying force to deliver contents 2 from sleeve1 could also be employed. FIG. 2 depicts cap 3 attached to a sturdy, butflexible-sided container 4, which when squeezed, deflects to applypressure to contents 2, but then returns to its original shape once thepressure is released. FIG. 3 shows cap 5 in a replaceable configuration,capable of being fastened onto new refill container 6, filled withconsumable substance 2, at connecting interfaces 7 and 8. FIG. 4 showsnew container 9 with an internal threaded post 10 and rising platform 11driven by knurled wheel 12. When knurled wheel 12 is turned, theattached threaded post 10 raises platform 11 and pushes the contentsupward, similar to the operation of commercially available deodorantcontainers.

[0019] The terms tube, sleeve, housing, and container are usedinterchangeably throughout to refer to the vessel containing theconsumable substance. For purposes of this patent, the container, ingeneral, will be referred to as sleeve 1. Although the sleeve is oftenreferred to throughout this patent, it is not intended to limit otherpossibilities, and other suitable containers may be used, as will beapparent to one skilled in the art.

[0020] Consumable substance 2, herein referred to as a “gel”, may beformulated from any number of ingredients, the resulting qualities ofwhich would most likely be a viscous substance, resembling a gel orpaste, that is slippery in texture, with a low coefficient of friction,and has the properties of flowing under pressure through one or morechannels, holes or vents and then, reconsolidating into a uniform mass.The gel must be capable of covering at least a portion of the pill andprovides an appropriate amount of bulk and/or lubrication. It may behelpful, but not required, to incorporate a property into the gel thatcauses the gel to thicken, stiffen, or harden after contact with air.This will cause the gel to provide a fuller or stronger covering to thepill with less chance for the pill to become dislodged from the gel andtrigger the consumer's gag reflex. The gel could also be a type ofliquid, provided it could contain the necessary properties to cover atleast a portion of the pill to enable it to be easily swallowed.

[0021] Affixed to the open end of sleeve 1, opposite the closed orcrimped end, would be a specialized cap 3, as depicted in FIGS. 1-3.Although the cap could be constructed from any firm, resilient material,it would be most preferably made from a food-grade injected moldedplastic in the polypropylene or polyethylene family of plastics. The capmight also be manufactured with an antimicrobial or biocidal agent addedto the plastic to control viruses, bacteria, and other organisms thatmay be deposited or grow on the cap or on any remains possibly left onthe cap after use. The cap could be manufactured in a variety ofconfigurations, with the top of the cap being flat, raised, or recessed,provided that one or more pills could be placed thereon and the gelcould be squeezed or somehow forced to flow around and/or over at leasta portion of the pill(s). The most preferred means, as shown in FIGS. 1and 7, would be to have a concave, recessed cap resembling a bowl 13with holes or vents along the top inside edge of the cap 14 and at thebottom of the cap 15. The holes provide a point of exit for the gel toflow out of the sleeve and on to cap 3. These holes could be of variousshapes and sizes to optimize the desired flow of the gel to cover thepill. Thus, this design would be a preferred embodiment, as it wouldenable the gel to best surround the pill from the top, sides, andunderneath. Cavity 16 would be helpful in allowing the gel to be staged,ready for delivery onto the top of the cap 3 when sleeve 1 is squeezed.The more the gel can surround the pill the better the chances are thatthe pill will not be exposed to the consumer's mouth and throat totrigger the consumer's gag reflex, and, simultaneously, providesufficient bulk and/or lubrication to permit the pill to slide down theconsumer's throat and esophagus into the stomach. Although sleeve 1 isdepicted as a thin-walled flexible tube that is squeezed with the hand,other containers and other means or sources of force or pressure may beemployed to deliver the gel from the container, as will be apparent toone skilled in the art.

[0022] The process for using the present invention would be a simpleoperation that the consumer could perform or it could be performed by athird party, such as a parent for a child or a nurse for a patient. Asdepicted in FIGS. 1, 5, 6, and 7, the consumer or assistant would removefitted cover 17, to expose cap 3. As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 6, cover 17is intended to be a form-fitting cover that interfaces tightly againstthe entire shape of top 18 and inner portion 13 of cap 3, and would mostlikely be made from a plastic material. However, cover 17 could even bea paper or other material barrier seal simply covering the top of thecap. Depending on the manufacturer's preference, a form-fitting cover 17could be optimized to also serve as a tamper-resistant seal, or the openend of sleeve 1 under cap 3 could be additionally sealed with suitablyremovable tamper-resistant covering for safety and health reasons. Inthis case, cap 3 would have to be temporarily removed, the safety sealwould then also have to be removed, and then cap 3 replaced for beforeuse. As may be apparent to one skilled in the art, cover 17 could beentirely removable, as shown in FIG. 6, or it could be attached tocontainer 1 or cap 3 by an attachment in the nature of a hinge 19, asshown in FIG. 5. Hinge 19 would enable cover 17 to be attached to theside of cap 3, and swung out of the way sufficient for the consumer touse the device without being impeded by cover 17, and then easilyreplaced when finished. This attachment would also prevent cover 17 frombeing misplaced while using the device.

[0023] The consumer would then place pill 19 in the concave, bowlsection in the top of cap 13, squeeze sleeve 1 until a sufficient amountof gel 2 is delivered around, under and over pill 19, as dictated byeach consumer's preference, and then the consumer would lick the pilland surrounding gel off the cap and, preferably, swallow sameimmediately. If the consumer was not able to swallow the pill on thefirst try, the entire process could be repeated, or the consumer couldsqueeze out an additional amount of gel and lick that portion from thecap to provide a sufficient quantity of gel in the mouth to mask thepill and enable the consumer to easily swallow it. By experimenting withthe device, a consumer may find it helpful to first try the gel withouta pill to get acquainted with the taste, texture, and mouth-feel of thegel. Once familiar with the gel, the consumer would load a pill onto thecap and consume it as provided above. Once proficient with the device,an experienced consumer could take more than one pill at a time, makingthe pill consumption process quicker, more efficient and less expensiveper administration. To accomplish this, the consumer would load thedesired number of pills onto cap 3, squeeze out a sufficient amount ofgel 2 to cover at least a portion of them, and then simultaneously lickthe collection of pills and gel off the cap together. Once finished, cap3 could then be wiped clean, if necessary, and cover 17 replaced untilthe next use. With single serving sizes, the user would simply discardthe device after use, and use a new one next time a pill needs to betaken.

[0024] While the present invention has been described in combinationwith embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intendedto embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fallwithin the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for delivering pills which comprises: ahousing containing a consumable substance, said housing which is closedat one end and opened at the opposite end; a cap sealingly disposedabout said open end of said housing, said cap having a pill holdingregion disposed about the surface of said cap disposed away from saidhousing and a means for transporting said consumable substance from saidhousing into said pill holding region.
 2. The system according to claim1, wherein said pill holding region of said cap is a concave recessedportion on the surface of said cap disposed away from said housing. 3.The system according to claim 1, wherein said means for transportingsaid consumable substance is at least one conduit disposed within saidcap.
 4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said conduit isdisposed about the outer circumference of said cap and/or within saidpill holding region.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein saidhousing is a flexible tube.
 6. The system according to claim 1, whereinsaid cap includes a cover portion.
 7. The system according to claim 6,wherein said cover portion is hingeably connected to said cap.
 8. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein said cap is formed from a materialselected from the group consisting of: polypropylene, polyethylene,and/or any other resilient material.
 9. The system according to claim 1,wherein said cap includes either an antimicrobial or biocidal agent. 10.A method for delivering one or more pills to a user which comprises:placing one or more pills within a pill holding region disposed about asurface of a cap sealingly disposed about an open end of a housingcontaining a consumable substance, said housing having a closed endopposite to said open end; delivering an amount of consumable substancethrough a conduit disposed within said cap such that said consumablesubstance covers at least of portion of said pill(s); and removing saidconsumable substance covered pill from said pill holding region by saiduser.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said pill holdingregion of said cap is a concave recessed portion on the surface of saidcap disposed away from said housing.
 12. The method according to claim10, wherein said conduit is disposed about the outer circumference ofsaid cap and/or within said pill holding region.
 13. The methodaccording to claim 10, wherein said housing is a flexible tube.
 14. Themethod according to claim 10, wherein said cap includes a cover portion.15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said cover portion ishingeably connected to said cap.
 16. The method according to claim 10,wherein said cap is formed from a material selected from the groupconsisting of: polypropylene, polyethylene, and/or any other resilientmaterial.
 17. The method according to claim 10, wherein said capincludes either an antimicrobial or biocidal agent.
 18. A pill deliverycontainer which comprises: a housing that is closed at one end andopened at the opposite end; a cap sealingly disposed about said open endof said housing, said cap having a pill holding region disposed aboutthe surface of said cap disposed away from said housing and a means fortransporting a consumable substance from said housing into said pillholding portion.
 19. The container according to claim 18, wherein saidpill holding portion of said cap is a concave recessed portion on thesurface of said cap disposed away from said housing.
 20. The containeraccording to claim 18, wherein said means for transporting saidconsumable substance is at least one conduit disposed within said cap.21. The container according to claim 20, wherein said conduit isdisposed about the outer circumference of said cap and/or within saidpill holding region.
 22. The container according to claim 18, whereinsaid housing is a flexible tube.
 23. The container according to claim18, wherein said cap includes a cover portion.
 24. The containeraccording to claim 23, wherein said cover portion is hingeably connectedto said cap.
 25. The container according to claim 18, wherein said capis formed from a material selected from the group consisting of:polypropylene, polyethylene, and/or any other resilient material. 26.The container according to claim 18, wherein said cap comprises eitheran antimicrobial or biocidal agent.